Comments on: Four Pastoral Blogging Taboos and How To Fix Them

By: Norman Prather

Norman Prather — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:46:09 +0000

Just curious, why are you surprised 56% of pastor’s don’t blog? I can safely say no one in the three churches I serve would read it. In fact I suspect only 1 or 2 people know what a blog is. In the communities we serve perhaps 2-3 % might have any familiarity with blogs. As much as I enjoy the internet and it’s potential blogging is a non starter for reaching into these communities.

By: Jacob Vanhorn

Jacob Vanhorn — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:31:19 +0000

Great points. This helps me think about my blogging and how I use it. I think the best recommendation is to outline your blog before writing it.
Mind dump or not, the post should be well written and the author should help the reader understand what he is trying to say. Mind-dumping might even be the most important area to be clear in, because of its nature.
If the writer is engaged in deep thinking and deep feeling, then the mind dump can be very helpful. It is the mind-dump from people who don’t think critically that is a waste of my time. In short, tell me some things you are wrestling with, maybe we are too.
It also depends on your audience. Young 20 something postmoderns or 45 year old marrieds may have different expectations here.

By: Nathan Ketsdever

Nathan Ketsdever — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:09:51 +0000

Great post!
Mind-dumping. There is purposed (aka based on biblical principles) and unpurposed mind dumping. Certainly there should be a high threshold for venting, however in a **small number of instances**, purposeful venting. I think, the alternative, of lifting people up or challenging them is generally and perhaps overwhelmingly the better alternative in most cases.

By: Ken Row

Ken Row — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:17:33 +0000

I think “mind-dump” needs defined.
If you’re talking about the fairly common practice of listing 10 or more short, disconnected, positive blurbs that you’ve been wanting to say something about, I think that’s fine.
If you’re talking about venting — letting loose all of the frustration that’s been building up — you’d be better off hand-writing your vent, praying over it, and tossing it in the shredder.

By: Scott Magdalein

Scott Magdalein — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:20:59 +0000

@Burt – In my mind, that’s easy. It means accomplishing the goals of your blog. The reason a “mind-dump” hinders the success of a pastoral blog is because they don’t normally communicate effectively and therefore aren’t helping pastors in their day to day communication with their church.

By: Jermayn Parker

Jermayn Parker — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:20:15 +0000

Mind dumps can be good but they must be balanced and should not be a place were the pastor vents his frustration, thats when he should go to God to do that.

By: Burt

Burt — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:10:45 +0000

I’ve been blogging for over two and 1/2 years now. What I don’t see being addressed by this article, or the survey linked to it, is what defines “blogging successfully.” What constitutes a successful blog? What is the measure?

By: Terrace Crawford

Terrace Crawford — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:04:28 +0000

Great post. I agree with you Scott all except #4, the mind-dump… which seems to be the object of the comments here already.
I do a mind-dump once a week, actually on Mondays, and its one of the most popular posts on my blog. Everyone I run into tells me its their favorite. I realize that this is not always the case with everyone’s blog. I’d also mention that mind-dumps would not be a good idea if a pastor would use it to communicate church business in them or rant about things he doesn’t like in the church. I typically use it for shear “randomness”, encouragement, occasional shout-outs to volunteers, etc. For this I think its a great type-post.
Just my three cents.
/TC/

By: Scott Magdalein

Scott Magdalein — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:12:09 +0000

@Kirt & Gordon – I agree with you both whole-heartedly.
@Shane & Adam – A mind-dump on a pastor’s blog is fine if the blog’s purpose as a whole is coming from the church leadership perspective. In that case, it’s a quick “here’s what we’re doing that maybe you can try also” post. But as a “pastoral” blog, the purpose is aimed toward the congregation and mind-dumping can have adverse affects for non-church leaders.
Great discussion!

By: Kirt Manuel

Kirt Manuel — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:55:16 +0000

Well said, Gordon. Thanks.